E.K. and N.K. v. T.A. AND A.C.K. Step-mother filed an amended petition for adoption of minor child under KRS199.502 and a request for termination of natural mother’s parental rights under KRS 625.050. The amended petition failed to join and serve the Cabinet as an indispensable party. Trial Court found the Cabinet was an indispensable party...Read More

S.B.P. v. R.L. and M.L. Biological Father, a federal inmate, of minor child, challenged judgment of adoption entered by Trial Court. The case was initiated by a petition filed by Child’s Maternal great-grandparents seeking involuntary termination of Father’s parental rights and voluntary termination of Mother’s rights. The petition was later amended to add a prayer...Read More

S.S. V. COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, ET AL. Family court terminated mother’s parental rights and allowed for step-mother adoption. Mother appealed arguing that the trial court failed in finding it could not appoint counsel on her behalf. The Court of Appeals agreed holding that because an “adoption without the consent...Read More

M.L.W. V. HEART TO HOME ADOPTION AGENCY, ET AL. Mother consented to adoption of her three children. Father contested the termination of his parental rights and appealed arguing that the findings of fact were insufficient to terminate his rights. The trial court stated that termination was in the children’s best interest, but did not make...Read More

A. H. V. W.R.L. AND M.L.  “Questions Presented: Family Law. Custody. Same-Sex Relationship. Step-Parent Adoption. Intervention of Right. Trial court properlyallowed the child’s biological mother’s ex-partner, who allegedly co-parented the child for seven years and has a pending custodypetition, to intervene in the step-parent adoption case that would have declared mother’s husband to be the...Read More

R.P., JR. V. T. A.C., ET AL. The Trial Court entered an Order terminating Biological Father’s parental rights and granting Stepfather’s Petition for adoption of the minor child. Father appealed arguing that the Trial Court did not make sufficient findings to terminate his parental rights. Termination must be supported by clear and convincing evidence. In...Read More

W.R.L., ET AL. V. A.H. A child born out of wedlock lived with A.H. as a family member for several years. A.H. participated in co-parenting the child , until A.H.’s relationship with the child’s mother ended. A.H. continued to have visitation with the child until the child’s mother got remarried and prevented A.H. from seeing...Read More

B.L.M. and B.A.M. v. A.M., L.M., L.S.M., et al No. 2011-CA-000333-ME Published: Opinion Reversing and Remanding County: Jefferson Appellants appeal from the Jefferson Circuit Court’s denial of a CR 60.02 motion to set aside an order in an adoption case requiring visitation between adopted children and their biological siblings.Read More

Cabinet for Health and Family Services v.Read More